Intracavity probes and interfaces therefor for use in obtaining images and spectra of intracavity structures using high field magnetic resonance systems

Abstract

An intracavity probe for use with an MR system allows images or spectra of a region of interest within a cavity of a patient to be obtained. The probe includes a shaft, a balloon at one end thereof, and a coil loop within the balloon. The coil loop preferably includes two drive capacitors and a tuning capacitor, all of which in series. A junction node between the drive capacitors serves as a ground for electrically balancing the coil loop. Diametrically opposite the junction node, the tuning capacitor enables the coil loop to resonate at the operating frequency of the MR system. Across each drive capacitor is connected an output cable having an electrical length of SL+n(λ / 4). The output cables terminate in a plug that is used to connect the coil loop to an interface device for the intracavity probe.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 60 / 628,166, titled System And Method Of Obtaining Images And Spectra Of Intracavity Structures Using 3.0 Tesla Magnetic Resonance Systems filed on 15 Nov. 2004. That provisional application has been assigned to the assignee of the invention disclosed below, and its teachings are incorporated into this document by reference. The present application is also a continuation-in-part of PCT International Application No. PCT / US03 / 07774 filed 13 Mar. 2003.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention generally relates to systems and methods of obtaining images and spectra of intracavity structures using magnetic resonance (MR) systems. More particularly, the invention pertains to an intracavity probe capable of being inserted into various bodily openings, such as the rectum, vagina, mouth, etc., to obtain high resolution images of and spectroscopic results for regions of in...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0019]Several objectives of the invention and other advantages are attained by the various embodiments and related aspects of the invention summarized below.

Problems solved by technology

The disadvantage inherent to the single coil approach is attributable to just one coil structure being used to acquire the MR signals over the entire region of interest.

Consequently, they are not suitable for use with MR systems designed to operate at higher field strengths, such as the 2.0 to 5.0 Tesla and particularly 3.0 Tesla MR systems that are capable of producing even higher quality images and spectrographic results.

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